Visit our Popular Forums

jking · 06-28-2012, 03:27 PM

The side windows have an oval slot at the bottom which is covered by a plastic "weep hole cover", Airstream part number 372062-01. It has a rivet at the lower edge holding it in place. I have broken one and need a replacement, but they are "no longer available" at Out-of-Doors Mart. If anyone knows where one is, please let me know. Thanks
Jamie

crazeevw · 06-28-2012, 06:14 PM

Several discussions concering these pieces of plastic here on the Classics section of the forum. Several were actually considering getting a custom aluminum version made, since the plastic does not hold up. No idea about that progress, but I feel certain Andy, at Inland RV has them for sale.
Thanks, Derek

raveson · 06-29-2012, 07:00 AM

They are nolonger available so it seems. I'm still waiting for the guy I sent my 2nd to last one to construct in alluminum Claims he can, but no prototype has showed up yet. If anyone finds some, count me in!

raveson · 07-12-2012, 08:29 AM

Prototype has been completed. They are produced out of copper and can be painted to match all years of classics.On mine 9 of them are going to be painted aluminum color and 21 dark grey to match the window trim. It looks like the price will end up at about $15. each which does not seem to bad as the plastic ones got to an $11 dollar cost. Once installed, they will never need to be replaced again! When I install, will post pixs which should be in the next couple of weeks.

Mike Leary · 07-12-2012, 10:00 AM

Copper sounds cool! Let us know how they look. Andy has, last I heard, both sizes in stock. They are a hassle to install; best soak them in hot water before trying to slip the tabs in.

ScrapIrony-2 · 07-13-2012, 05:34 PM

Oasis RV in Tucson, AZ, had them a couple of years ago...I think they were $14-15 each...they have some new-in-stock items for older units...

raveson · 07-24-2012, 07:18 PM

Click image for larger version

Name: 010.JPG
Views: 452
Size: 595.9 KB
ID: 163838

Attached are photos of the new copper weephole covers along with the plastic one to the side. The copper one has been painted to match the grey arround the windowes of my 89 345. will attach one in the next day or so and try to get a better photo after riveting it to the weep hole. I will get the fabricator to produce as many as you need. NOTE, ONCE REPLACED THEY WILL NEVER NEED TO BE DONE AGAIN! I,m going to do all 30 shortly. Again, the price is about $17 ea. plus freight (USPS small box - $5.50 ?) If I can get a bunch of pieces at one time, I will try to negotiate a better price. My intention is not to make money, but help the Classic MH community. Note, they will all be primed to be painted buy you to the color you need.

Jenniflow · 07-24-2012, 08:15 PM

Does copper react with aluminum, is that why people are painting them? I would love to keep them copper, otherwise.

raveson · 07-25-2012, 07:36 AM

They can be as raw copper. I don't believe there would be any problem with copper and alluminum. If left raw, they will turn green eventually. Because the seams have been soddered, it would need to be finely sanded and polished. As you probably know, the plastic ones turn a light grey, almost white, then get brittle will fall off!

Jenniflow · 07-25-2012, 08:53 AM

Well, I wish this weren't true, but I just looked it up and copper and aluminum do have different electrode potentials and will generate a voltage and there will be galvanic oxidation. According to this article in Wikipedia, one solution is to insulate them from each other somehow with (gaack!) plastic or epoxy. They're saying you should coat both materials, or if not that, at least the more noble, in this case copper. Here's the wikipedia article which inlcudes a chart at the bottom that includes copper and aluminum.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/
Galvanic_corrosion

The thing is, why would they make them out of copper then?

We run into this all the time on our tug and we put 22 huge pizza size zincs on our steel hull to keep it from electrolyizing.

I still want to have the copper details! It would look so cool. What is the solder made of?

raveson · 07-25-2012, 07:27 PM

jenniflow,
Am very familar with the cocept of electrolisis with boats. Looking at your research which does make sense, I don't belive that the contact between the two would effect our motor homes with in their possible life span considering most of us will not be worried long after we are gone ( many many years). If this is a real issue, they can be constructed out of brass if the extra cost is worth it to you!

raveson · 07-25-2012, 07:37 PM

My original intention was to have them costructed from aluminum. Problem was welding the seams (helliarc) on thin material. Any suggestions will be accepted. Thanks

345bill · 07-25-2012, 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by raveson

Problem was welding the seams (helliarc) on thin material. Any suggestions will be accepted. Thanks

Not a suggestion but here's an similarity. The guy that was able to heli-arc my screen door has since retired but here's a picture showing it can be done on flat surface. Material thickness should be similar but trying this on seams would be very much more challenging.

elbundi · 07-25-2012, 09:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by raveson

Attachment 163838Attached are photos of the new copper weephole covers along with the plastic one to the side. The copper one has been painted to match the grey arround the windowes of my 89 345. will attach one in the next day or so and try to get a better photo after riveting it to the weep hole. I will get the fabricator to produce as many as you need. NOTE, ONCE REPLACED THEY WILL NEVER NEED TO BE DONE AGAIN! I,m going to do all 30 shortly. Again, the price is about $17 ea. plus freight (USPS small box - $5.50 ?) If I can get a bunch of pieces at one time, I will try to negotiate a better price. My intention is not to make money, but help the Classic MH community. Note, they will all be primed to be painted buy you to the color you need.

Are the new copper ones on the left of all the pictures?

I'd like to see them installed as well with the screens in place. Post as hi res as you can raveson. If everything looks kosha then let your fabricator know I'm in for a full set for a 345.

raveson · 07-26-2012, 07:07 AM

The pix I have show the one on the left as the last plastic one I have. The right is copper and painted grey as window frames on my coach. Will install one today and try to get you a better pix.

raveson · 07-26-2012, 11:10 AM

elbundi,
Hope these give you a better look.

crazeevw · 07-29-2012, 11:23 PM

Richard,
Seems to me, that since these copper weep hole covers are being painted, maybe no corrosion???
Already PM'd you.
Derek

marydixon555 · 07-29-2012, 11:36 PM

Copper sounds awesome and durable. I suppose a good clear coat would be helpful and could be touched up after a few years as with the clear coat on coaches. I'm glad to see these!

la nomade · 08-01-2012, 07:14 AM

i need to replace some too....copper sounds good,those plastic ones keep falling off or braking even sometimes as you try and put them on....please keep me posted as to how to get those Thanks M

raveson · 08-02-2012, 06:57 AM

I am retired and do not intend to start a business trying to sell weep hole covers. I am going to have a set made for mine(30). If any one wants some and I can add to my order, I'm hoping maybe to get a little better price for a larger order. I do understand the price for a set looks pricey at $17. each, but it should be the last ones we will need to put on. I will try to contact Andy at Inland RV to see if he is interested in buying some for stock and reselling. If you definetly want some PM me with a phone contact so that we can make some arrangements.
Richard